What We Do

Zinc.

Zinc is a popular choice for roofing and exterior cladding, valued for its flexibility and durable properties. The natural finishes, colours, and broad visual appeal of zinc can adapt to any design you have in mind, whatever the project’s complexity.

Whether you are planning a zinc roof, a pitched roof, wall cladding, or simply looking for an ideal material for gutters or dormer window flashings, then our experienced team at Varla can help you achieve stunning results from this highly dependable material.

Why choose Zinc?

Zinc has an 80 + year life expectancy with manufacturers offering material guarantees on their products.

Zinc is self-protecting as it forms its own protective layer called patina. (When zinc is exposed to the moisture and carbon dioxide that is present in our atmosphere, a protective layer of zinc carbonate forms on its surface, prohibiting the corrosion process.)

Zinc is suitable for use in coastal environments.

Zinc is low maintenance and lightweight thus requiring a more minimal support structure.

If you are looking for an environmentally friendly metal material, zinc is both recyclable and sustainable.

Untreated zinc has an A1 non-combustible rating with treated or coated zincs having an A2 rating.

Zinc is a fungistat, which means it prohibits the reproduction of mould, mildew and fungus. This can greatly reduce the risk of moss or even black mould from forming on the exterior of a building in areas that are in contact with the zinc metal.

Zinc is a malleable metal so can be formed into complex and curved shapes, hence why it is popular with architects.

Zinc works well with both contemporary and traditional designs and is a popular choice for both commercial and residential projects.

What to be aware of with Zinc

If a zinc roof or zinc wall construction is not designed or installed to allow for ventilation or a robust vapour control layer, then corrosion can occur to the underside of the zinc.

Zinc can become brittle when installing at temperatures below 10°C. It is essential to ensure that the material is warmed using a hot air gun.

As with all hard metals ‘oil canning’ or surface deflection may be visible. This can be exaggerated by the intensity or direction of light and is subjective in the eyes of the designer. This distortion can be minimised in pre-fabrication and by Varla’s good workmanship and care when handling and installing the zinc.

If you are looking for zinc roofing and cladding contractors to slot into your construction plans, Varla can work around your requirements for the design and installation. Alternatively, we can guide you through the process, acting as the principal contractor for the entire roofing and cladding package.

Here are some recent examples of Zinc cladding and roofing projects installed by Varla View All Projects +